Shawneetown Bridge reopened after barge hit

UPDATE: The Shawneetown Bridge over the Ohio River has been reopened after a safety check in the bridge found no structural damage. It was reopened shortly before 9 a.m.

PREVIOUSLY: The Shawneetown Bridge, which carries Kentucky 56/Illinois 13 over the Ohio River, is closed after being struck by a barge, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported.

According to the US Coast Guard, the Motor Vessel H.B. Stewart was pushing 15 empty barges when it grazed a pier at 5:38 a.m. this morning.

The impact with the second pier out from the Kentucky side of the river broke several cables holding the tow together. The pilot reported only minor damage to the barges.

The incident prompted the Coast Guard to order the Shawneetown Bridge closed to traffic. A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet bridge inspector has been dispatched to run a safety check on the bridge before traffic can resume.

The bridge is likely to remain closed until about 8:30 a.m. today to allow a safety check.